please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A raucous & jolly session pub, with a long bar & plenty of staff. Despite the crowd & noise service was good, though I chose unwisely (Belhaven Best, 2.90), a liquid which, like John Smiths & Tetleys, poses as beer. There were probably better beers on offer but not immediately visible & speed is important in a crowded bar. That said, I enjoyed this pub & will visit again if I can persuade some of my drinking pals down under to join me, as it is definitely a pub enjoyed in company.
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I gather this is a text book example of a certain type of pub in Scotland where the bar winds right around the premises. To that end it is well worth a visit, but also for the beautiful Victorian features and stained glass. A wonderful place. My only complaint was the televised football was a bit loud. I still think any pub fan visiting Glasgow should at least come by so they can say they were there. Good well kept ales and friendly staff.
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You can't deny it's a unique pub & an essential place to visit when in Glasgow. However, the beer choice is very poor, one of which is the ever present Deuchars. I think the pub is doing business based on it's reputation, which doesn't bear any resembelence to current reality.
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This is a Glasgow institution! The largest continuous bar in the world according to the sign! A mix of Scottish and guest ales from "the South" although you have to look for the pumps as every inch of the bar is covered with beer taps! Don't miss the pie and beans. A very busy bar right in the herat of the city - so handy for Central station and only a couple of minutes walk from Queen Street. The only downside? - there are television screens everywhere (and I mean everywhere)and although there's generally no sound I found them intrusive! Having said that - I'll be back!
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Phew! After my wallet taking a complete hammering in Auld Reekie, I was offered some much welcomed financial relief. Drank several pints of Blonde from Harviestoun Brewery which was superb and reasonably priced at £2.65.
Like most reviewers point out, it is a lovely old fashioned boozer, with a massive bar that circles the whole place.
Food looked good, although I didn't sample any.
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I called in one Sunday afternoon. The beer was good and well priced, I found a free table in the corner and all was well. However, the crowd of drunken smokers outside the pub were off-putting and the atmosphere was not for the faint hearted. If the pub was to run a swear box, it would be a tidy earner!
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Large friendly pub close to Central Station.
Central bar with service both sides. Good selection of ales on draught, 4 when I visited on a Friday morning.
All Scottish ales of which I had Flying Scotsman from the Caledonian brewery. Good pint kept in perfect condition.
Lots of old pictures on the wall, tiled floor and stain glass on the bar doors depicting Horseshoes.
Very nice traditional style pub.
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Interesting that there has been no review for more than six months. Saturday afternoon, 9 June. Place rammed and deafening. Not a single real ale on offer: no explanation or apology. The inference was 'if you don't like it, eff off'. I didn't, so I did.
This has been a great pub for decades. I just hope I witnessed an aberration, rather than the beginning of the end....
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I paid The Horseshoe a long overdue visit when I went back to Glencoe the other weekend - my first visit since returning from Arran in May 2006!
"If it isn't broken - don't fix it!" Well, it wasnae broken so they didnae fix it!
I popped in with three friends early Friday lunchtime having driven the best part of 500 miles from the South East, and the pint of Deuchars' I.P.A. was quaffed with gusto. An excellent pint and the service was as brisk and prompt as before.
The three course lunch is no longer available for �3.45 as it was five and a half years ago. It has now gone up to �4.25, with a larger choice of main course, and I don't just mean that you get a choice of either baked beans or mushy peas with your Scotch Pie! In addition, other food options are the "Two Meals for 5.50" deal, Burger & Drink for �4.49, Wednesday Grill - �5.99, Thursday Curry - �4.99 and Sunday Roast - �4.99.
I've just read the above paragraph back and it look more like an advert for 'Spoons than for The Horseshoe. But 'Spoons it definitely ain't!! The previous score stands.
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Our first ever visit to Glasgow bore quite a few good pubs, and this certainly did not let things down.
An historic pub with a fantastic island bar, which can be walked around if you want to admire its full length.
The pubs Interesting old decor was only let down very slightly by an unexciting selection of beer on the bar, however, this was not enough to spoil the experience of a classic pub in the city centre.
If you are visiting this city, and you like old, authentic pubs, then make sure that this is one of those you visit.
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Very traditional pub with a variety of cask ales at reasonable prices. Handy for Central Station and well worth a visit.
alexw - 19 Sep 2011 21:29 |
Quite simply, a classic. Good value and oozes character. Highly recommended
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First visit since Glasgow was the City of European Culture, and the place has changed little apart from a more commercialised food service (but the simple lunchtime meals at �2.99 were selling like hot cakes and looked good). A pint of Deuchar's at �1.89 was a bargain. Good atmosphere in an excellent city pub full of local people. I'm suprised that it's not in the GBG (I visited due to fond memory). I will certainly call again whenever in Glasgow.
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A first class pub, the type that sadly rarely exists any longer. Very old fashioned, even the loos are rather quaint! Had a few pints of Dark Star which was in excellent condition, and reasonably priced at �2.29. Warm and friendly and that includes the ladies behind the bar who actually say hello and smile at you. Only criticism would be the television screens dotted about the place, you can't have everything i suppose.
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a nice historic pub- 4 real ales, ok malt selection, a bit too dark inside... and sadly one pint was cloudy and was was short....
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Visited on 24th April 2010.
Traditional pub bang in the centre of Glasgow. Retains all its features dating back almost 120 years. From the shape of the bar to the mirror designs and gantry statue, the horseshoe shape is present throughout.
On my visit there were four ales: Everards Tiger and Deuchars IPA on handpump whilst on electric dispense through sparklers were Cairngorm Howler and Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted which I was drinking. I noted the beer was slightly colder than I expected but otherwise fine.
Friendly jovial staff; the two young ladies especially so! Medium level music; tv screens showing football with the sound off. Quite full on Saturday evening but not overcrowded, and given the number of customers around the bar I found the service to be attentive and quick. Whilst you are likely to find a regional or small regional rather than the latest microbrewery here, the pub's architecture and atmosphere are of sufficient merit to warrant a visit as part of any Glasgow crawl.
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Great bar. friendly staff that know what they are doing. Loads of character and terrific value. Deuchars and Bitter and Twisted were �1.85 when I was last in. I had a Deuchars in The Albannach in Trafalgar Square recently and it was �4.20. Guess which was the nicer pint?
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Had an enjoyable lunchtime here in march09, mainly due to the fact that Liverpool beat utd 4-1. 99p for a glass of wine? Fantastic. I was on the 80/, lovely stuff, and the pie n peas/beans? Need I say more. Would definately visit again when next in Glasgow
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Helllloooo, I popped in to this pub by accident with my camera and took some amazing fun photo's, I had a great time and it shows all other folk did too.
If any locals would like some I have so many more..... Jackie
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Worth popping in for the unique interior. But somehow the atmopshere and ambience didn't do it for me. Only 3 real ales available and one of them was unavailable. �2.13 for a pint of whatever it was I had.
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Went there yesterday lunchtime and can confirm Deuchar's IPA was in good condition and only �1.95 a pint. But there were only two real ales on. The tasty food was great value.
The place has an interesting interior and was busy - it seems to be a proper pub for serious drinking but you can just drop in for a short visit. Went in on my own and found the staff and other customers to be friendly - overall a 7.5/10.
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Only two (three?) real ales on, but the Deuchar's IPA was in good condition and only �1.95 a pint. �1.95 a pint! In a city centre pub!
Always busy when I call in, much happy blethering under way, so they're doing something right...
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This place and the Toby Jug were far too rammed last Saturday - probably had a lot to do with all the extra folk in town for the marches. Will have to go back to admire the decor when its not so packed.
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As one or two of the posts try to go here whenever I'm in Glasgow. Very convenient for Central Station. I have to say that I'd prefer a changing range of beers. Forebye that a splendid place to, either sit contemplating your navel, or get involved in some craic. Food whilst not being cordon bleu is good, wholesome, and cheap.
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Always try to visit this pub when in Glasgow - superb National Inventory interior. Very busy when I called in at 6pm on a Thursday - but quickly served. They had Caley 80/- and Deuchars IPA, but I went for Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted. Superb and only �2.05! Could do without the 9 televisions screens though, which even if you try to avoid in direct sight, are reflected in the beautiful mirrors!
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Large single room Victorian gin palace in Glasgow city centre. Amazing bar which covers most of the room, two draught bitters - Deuchars IPA and Taylor's Landlord, huge engraved mirrors throughout plus wonderful stained glass in the front windows. Absolutely packed on a Friday lunchtime with a real buzz. Would be a good venue for a night on the lash with your mates. Worth visiting for the decor, beer and the amazing bar.
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Very noisy but a good pint. Door was obstructed by smokers - when will they stop littering the streets?
I didn't get the chance to eat here, but it's on my list-of-things-to-do-next-time-I'm-in-Glasgow.
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Hectic, noisy and packed with workers and tourists early evening. You'll be lucky to find a seat but if you do and you want to eat the food is good and very cheap. The beer is fine, if a bit pedestrian in choice, but the beer isn't really the point here.
chick - 26 Sep 2008 16:56 |
A superb pub. I visit it when I'm up in Glasgow with work. Serves a nice drop of Deuchars IPA and has a great selection of whisky.
Boyne - 11 Sep 2008 12:46 |
Very busy bar, has large bar downstairs all way round the pub, upstairs �3.75p for a 3 course lunch before 3pm on Sat afternoons a good buy, also a bar in restaurant area upstairs.
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Echo recent comments & surprised this doesn't get a higher rating. Pies downstairs, restaurant upstairs. Nothing flash just good grub well portioned. �3.75 for three course lunch on Saturdays. All with real ale in a wonderful setting.
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what bad things could i say about this???NONE!!!lovely bar with very helpful bar staff...well kept beer on my visit..i would definitly make this my local if it were a mile or so away..keep it up.
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Splendidly traditional and old fashioned Glasgow pub in a side street not far from Central Station. The pub claims to have the longest continuous bar counter in Britain.
There is much for the staunch traditionalist to admire - large Horseshoe motif mirrors, much wood pannelling and fine leaded stained glass windows at the front.Note also the old spittoon trough round the bar floor. The pub is included in the CAMRA National Inventory for unspoilt interiors.
There are numerous small TV sets dotted round the pub. These are relatively unobtrusive and seemed not to detract in any way from the boisterous, yet good natured atmosphere.
The Deuchars IPA in here was the cheapest yet - only � 1.95p. The Timmy Taylors was on, but no-one seemed to be drinking it
There is an upstairs bar - The Horseshoe Bar - where we do cheap business lunches and where they were advertising Karaoke " eight days a week"
Highly recommended
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It�s not to be missed!
anonymous - 7 Mar 2007 19:01 |
Cracking pub,handy for your first pint after getting off at Glasgown Central.Tends to be more space at the back of the bar-if you can get there!...Belhaven was �2.25,they had a (dodgy)house bitter for a quid and offers on other drinks-Tennants lager at �1.95 being very popular.The food was excellent value and tasted very nice.Decent looking interior-well worth a visit.
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Indeed. A Glasgow institution, with its astonishigly well-preserved and intriguing interior features, this pub also offers well-priced good ale (up to 3) for the beer connoisseurs amongst you. Food sounds good although as yet I've yet to indulge.
The only downsides are that, inevitably, it can get very busy and one can twist and turn right round the horseshoe and still find nowhere to prop up, and also the condition of the toilet left a bit to be desired on my last visit!
But still a must, either for the entire evening or as part of an enriching crawl around the centre!
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As a Glasgow exile in England this is THE pub I visit on coming back to the "dear green place"
Not to be missed.
anonymous - 30 Oct 2006 12:54 |
If you love untouched pub interiors as much as I do, then if you only visit one pub in the city, it has to be this. A symphony of carved woodwork and superb mirrors just for a start and the huge island bar dominates. Note the leaded lights in the ceiling and front windows. Not even the TV screens circling the bar can detract from the beauty of this place. At the rear of the room, a carved fireplace (sadly out of use) is surmounted by a mirror proclaiming the pub name and alongside this, a breathtakingly large mirror has as its centrepiece an enormous carved wood, mirror inset clock. Amongst all this splendour, the bar serves the usual stuff plus ales from Caledonian and a range of whiskies.
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Great Ale In A Forest Of Lager(or Glasgow) VISIT!! 8/10
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One of the great UK pub experiences, particularly if you can get a table at the bar at lunchtime and eat your pie with your (excellent) pint. As cultural an experience as Wong Kei's chinese restaurant in London and a great advert for real pubs.
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His Lordship is not wrong. Professional and friendly staff, splendid old interior. Deuchars, well kept, �1.95. They now also have Schiehallion (real lager from Harviestoun). Three course lunch - choice of about 10 mains - �3.45, with waitress service. (Or Scotch pie & beans for about 80p.) A legendary pub ninety seconds walk from Central Station, five minutes from Queen Street. Not to be missed.
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I stopped in Glasgow after having been to Arran for a short break. I had some time to kill before catching a bus back to the land of the heathen English, so with a friend from Ayr, descended upon the Horseshoe Bar.
If this bar were in London, it would be called a Victorian Gin Palace. Once you've gone through either of the double swing doors, and gotten past the people that congregate around the front of the eponymous bar, you realise what a large place this is. It has superb victorian full-length acid etched mirrors on the far wall making the bar seem even bigger. Even the proliferation of television screens showing "the fitba" was not intrusive.
Once at the bar, service was prompt, efficient, and our pints delivered with a smile. I spent a good few hours in there and not once was my beer topped up with keg, and I didn't move away from the beer engines!
On offer were Caledonian 80/-, Deuchars I.P.A., Brains S.A. and Caledonian "Flying Scotsman" Prices ranged from �1.95 - �2.20, and the quality equalled that of some of the best watering holes south of Hadrian's Wall!
As concerns victuals, the Horseshoe must be the epitome of Weegie Cuisine - Soup, hot Scotch Pie with either beans or peas, and a choice of dessert - Rice & Fruit, Jelly & Fruit, Fresh Fruit or Ice Cream. And what was the tariff for this epicurean delight? A niggardly �3.45!
All in all, this pub bar is an absolute treasure - certainly one of the best I've been to in a long time, and I've visited a few over the years. Tim Martin should should send his managers in order to find out how a large bar should be run.
Consequently, I have no hesitation in awarding a bollock-blistering 10/10
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Not bad if a bit dingy, nice original looking bar.
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poor quality beer staff top up real with keg to make it fizzy yuk avoid
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This place has the lot, beer, food , service,atmosphere all excellent and a great free show in the evening. The best pub I've ever visited in the UK.
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A fantastic proper pub - draught beers are always superb. Excellent food at great prices. A varied and friendly clientele. Spent many afternoons in here enjoying the ale and patter.
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Great pub-Deuchars is spot-on......eclectic clentele, but great place to just sit and chill/read your paper without hassle.
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A Glasgow classic, I have visited the Horseshoe for 32 years when in Glasgow and always had a reperat experience of value for money, attentive staff and a fine earyhy Glasgow atmosphere.
Visit it - youl enjoy it
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Arriving in Glasgow, I asked the taxi driver to recommend a decent pub. I was told that the Horseshoe Bar was a good pub and I have to say the he was not wrong. This pub is a gem and you can sit and relax, watch the world go by, nice original surroundings, interesting people going about their business and they serve a really great pint. Till the next time.
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Fine pub. Often very busy, but the staff are usually on top of things. Pie & beans just about legendary, and they have Caley 80/- and Deuchars in pretty good nick.
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Brilliant place. My wife and I fell in love with it instantly. It's beautiful, friendly, and fun. The "wild life" was great, so say these recent visitors from the left side of the pond. Excellent ales! Lunch at �3.20 can't be beat.
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If you have never visited this boozer you don't know what your missing.
Great welcome and friendly atmosphere morning, noon and well at night it just gets better.
Good old fashoned Pub Grub at a great price, Sky TV and some of Glasgow's best characters.
Upstairs is the lounge and the Karaoke hosts some of Glasgow great uptapped talent and some that should remain so.
Raymond Purdon - 12 Mar 2005 14:46 |
Ah yes, a good one this. Deacent beer, prices, interesting wild life which can be more engaging than foriegners (not from Glasgow) might find comfortable. Brilliant old style pub.
Betty Ford - 10 Nov 2004 14:56 |
A great slice of real Glasgow with well kept real ale. For value you can't beat the lunchtime special - Mutton Pie, Beans , Chips and a pint, all for really not very much money.
David - 21 Oct 2004 16:25 |
If you go to Glagow you must visit this bar. A proper pub, serving good food at relistic prices. Excellent beer quality and tremendous atmosphere.
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great pub, good atmosphere
jo - 9 Sep 2004 12:32 |
